May is Child Hunger Awareness Month in Rockford

• Rock River Valley Pantry seeks donations as children struggle to find lunch over summer months

Staff Report

The Rock River Valley Pantry (RRVP) has chosen May as Child Hunger Awareness Month in Rockford. Next month, when the schools are out for the summer, many of the children who received a federally subsidized lunch at school will be unable to find lunch. During the summer months, the RRVP expects more than 2,400 children will be provided with food each month.

Children represent up to 40 percent of the people served at the RRVP. Kim Adams-Bakke, executive director of the RRVP, said costs of food are much higher than last year, and it is more difficult for many families to provide meals of any kind.

Making Rockford aware this is a very difficult time for children is RRVP’s goal. Donations of peanut butter and canned fruits and vegetables are sought, along with monetary donations.

The RRVP fights hunger in the community by providing nutritious food to those in urgent need. In 2012, there were 72,400 user visits to the RRVP and more than 650,000 meals were distributed.